Filler for cavities in trees



JOSEPH J'. NICHOLAS, OF PHILADELPHIA, EEENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ALBERT F. W. VICK COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FILLER FOB. CAVITIES IN TREES.

No I Drawing.

and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fillers for Cavities in Trees, of which the following is a specification.

In the case of trees having decayed sections or spots therein the further decay thereof may be arrested and prevented by removing the decayed portions of wood and filling the cavities thus produced with a suitable composition.

The more nearly certain qualities and characteristics of the filler, such, for instance, as that of elasticity and expansion and contraction under the influence of heat and cold, correspond with the like qualities and characteristics of the wood of the tree in connection with which the composition is used, the more satisfactorily will the filler subserve its purpose and function.

The characteristics of the wood of different trees vary to such an extent that it is practically impossible to provide a filler for general use which shall possess the same characteristics as to elasticity, etc., as that possessed by the wood of the various trees in connection with which it may be em ployed; but it is practically possible to provide a filler which shall approximate to a greater or less degree these characteristics.

It is the object of my invention to provide a filler which shall have in a high degree the same characteristics as the wood of the tree in connection with which it may be used. To efi'ect this object I employ finely divided wood, such as saw-dust or wood pulp, as a predominant constituent of the filler. The wood being present in predominating quantity gives to the filler its qualities which are characteristic of wood of any tree in connection with which it may be used for the purpose of filling cavities therein. In addition to the finely divided wood a suitable binding material or ingredient must be employed.

To enable those who may desire to do so to use my invention, I shall now describe one embodiment thereof. I have achieved Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June '3, 1921.

Application filed March 30, 1920. Serial No. 369,878.

very satisfactory results by the use of a composition comprising approximately thirtythree and one-third per cent. (33%%) by weight of calcined magnesite and approximately sixty-six and two-thirds per cent. (66%%) by weight of finely divided wood, such as saw-dust or wood pulp. It will be understood, however, that the proportions of these ingredients maybe varied without departing frommy invention, but in all cases the proportion of wood should largely predominate in order that the composition shall possess characteristics as nearly like those of the wood of any tree in connection with which it may be used as is practically osslble. These two ingredients, the calcined magnesite and the finely divided wood, are thoroughly mixed while in a dry state, and after the mixture has been made magnesium chlorid of a specific gravity of 15 to 20 Baum is added to the mixture, the amount of the latter which is added to themixture being varied depending upon the consistenc of the product desired. The resulting pro not is in a plastic state.

The plastic composition thus produced is employed for the purpose above described by packing it into the cavities of the trees from which the decayed wood has been removed, and after application and exposure to the atmosphere it will set and harden. Its presence excludes both air and moisture from the portions of the wood at the sides and bottom of a cavity and prevents further decay.

It will be apparent that by reasonof the large proportion of wood employed in the filling compositionit will have to a large degree the characteristics of the wood of the tree in connection with which it may be emploved.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The herein described composition for treating trees consisting of a dry mixture of 33?;% of calcined magnesite and 66?;% of finely divided wood by weight and a quantity'of magnesium chlorid of a specific gravity of 1520 Baum. I p

2. A composition for filling cavities in trees consisting of a mixture of approximately thirty-three and one-third per cent.

of calcined magnesite, approximately sixtysix and two-thirds per cent. of finely divided wood and magnesium chlorid in quantities suflicient to produce a plastic mass.

3. A composition for filling cavities in trees comprising a mixture of calcined magnesite and finely divided'wood, the latter being present in predominating quantity,

and magnesium chlorid in qnantity'suificient to produce a plastic mass.

4. A composition for filling cavities in trees comprising finely divided wood and a cementitious binding therefor, the Wood bein% present in predominating quantity n testimony whereof I afliX my signature. 15

JOSEPH J. NICHOLAS 

